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For dog owners visiting or residing in New Jersey, there are several locations where pets are able to enjoy the water including beaches, a dog park and an animal inn. While certain locations permit year-round off-leash swimming, others limit dog swimming to certain times of the year or require pets to stay on a leash while enjoying the water.

Seasonal Beaches

A selection of beaches in New Jersey allow dogs on the sand and in the water during the winter season. Beaches typically require all dogs be kept on a leash and all waste to be cleaned up. Each beach sets its own seasonal limits for dog access. For example, Avalon Beach (avalonboro.org) grants dogs access between October 1 and the end of February. Mantoloking Beach (mantoloking.org) invites dogs to enjoy the water between September 15 and June 15. Dogs may visit Sea Girt's beaches (seagirtboro.com) between October 1 and March 14. Ship Bottom (shipbottom.org) lets dogs on its beaches during the months of October to April.

Year-Round Beaches

Several beaches in New Jersey invite dogs to swim in the ocean year round, though various restrictions apply. Brigantine Beach (brigantinebeachnj.com) allows dogs on a 6-foot or shorter leash on the north end of the beach throughout the year, though dogs may only access other areas of the beach between October and May. Stone Harbor (stone-harbor.nj.us) invites leashed dogs to enjoy the beach daily between 7 p.m. and sunset.

Morris Animal Inn

Morris Animal Inn (morrisanimalinn.com) in Morristown, New Jersey is home to an indoor dog pool. The pool is open to dogs by reservation only for 15-minute swim sessions and swims can be incorporated into boarding or grooming services. The pool area features a nonslip floor, complementary life jacket use for all dogs and a automated lift system for dogs needing assistance getting in and out of the water. Before dogs may swim, owners must sign a permission form.

Rocky Top Dog Park

The Rocky Top Dog Park (twp.south-brunswick.nj.us) located in and maintained by the South Brunswick Township, features a pond and waterfall for dogs that want to take a dip. The park offers daily, monthly and annual membership for pet owners. All dogs visiting the park must be accompanied by an adult, wear a collar with a current license, be up to date on all vaccines and older than 6 months. All male dogs must be neutered and female dogs may not be in heat when visiting the park.

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About the Author

Based in Florida, Mandi Titus has been writing since 2002. Her articles have been published on sites such as Goodkin, Go Green Street and Living the Healthy Way. She holds a Bachelor of Science in psychology from Stetson University.

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